Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

Provided is a display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a display module configured to define a display surface on a plane. The display module includes a display panel having a plurality of display elements configured to display an image on the display surface and a pattern layer having a plurality of diffraction patterns arranged at an interval on the display panel. The diffraction patters are arranged to diffract at least a portion of incident light. At least a portion of the diffraction patterns has a width different from that of each of remaining diffraction patterns.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/561,712, filed Sep. 5, 2019 and entitled DISPLAY APPARATUSwhich claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent ApplicationNo. 10-2018-0117968, filed on Oct. 4, 2018, the entire contents of bothof which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure herein relates to a display apparatus havingimproved display quality.

Display apparatuses are becoming increasingly important with thedevelopment of multimedia. Accordingly, various types of displayapparatuses such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic lightemitting displays (OLEDs), and the like are used.

In the case of the organic light emitting displays (OLEDs), emissionareas surrounded by non-emission areas may be defined on a displaysurface on which an image is displayed. When a display's resolution islow, or the display surface is enlarged, the non-emission areas may bevisible by a user.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a display apparatus having improveddisplay quality.

An embodiment of the inventive concept provides a display apparatusincluding a display module configured to define a display surface on aplane. The display module includes: a display panel including aplurality of display elements configured to display an image on thedisplay surface; and a pattern layer including a plurality ofdiffraction patterns arranged at an interval on the display panel,wherein the pattern layer is configured to diffract at least a portionof incident light, wherein at least a portion of the plurality ofdiffraction patterns has a width different from that of each ofremaining diffraction patterns.

In an embodiment, the at least the portion of the incident lightdiffracted by the diffraction patterns may be constructively interfered.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of display elements isconfigured to display pixel unit images on the display surface, theconstructively interfered incident light may display duplicate pixelunit images between adjacent display elements, and the image may bedefined by the pixel unit images and the at least duplicate unit images.

In an embodiment, the plurality of diffraction patterns includes aplurality of hole shapes passing through the pattern layer.

In an embodiment, the plurality of diffraction patterns may include:first patterns, each of which has a first width; and second patterns,each of which has a second width that is greater than the first width.

In an embodiment, a ratio of the second patterns to the first patternson the pattern layer may be in a range of about 20% to about 80%.

In an embodiment, the number of the first patterns may be the same asthat of the second patterns on the pattern layer. In an embodiment, aratio of the width of each of the diffraction patterns to the intervalof the diffraction patterns may be in a range of about 5% to about 95%.

In an embodiment, the diffraction patterns may further include thirdpatterns, each of which has a third width that is less than the firstwidth.

In an embodiment, the first patterns may form a plurality of firstcolumns on the plane, the second patterns may form a plurality of secondcolumns on the plane, and the first columns and the second columns maybe alternately arranged.

In an embodiment, the first patterns and the second patterns may bealternately arranged on the plane in a first direction and a seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction.

In an embodiment, the display panel may include: a base layer; a circuitlayer on the base layer and comprising the plurality of displayelements; and an encapsulation layer on the circuit layer and having thesame refractive index as the pattern layer.

In an embodiment, the encapsulation layer may include the same materialas the pattern layer.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of diffraction patterns may havea shape that protrudes upward from a top surface of the display module.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of diffraction patterns may havea circular shape on the plane.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of diffraction patterns may havea polygonal shape on the plane.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of display elements may includean organic light emitting element.

In an embodiment, the display apparatus may further include anantireflection layer on the display module, wherein the antireflectionlayer may include: a phase retardation layer that is configured toretard a phase of one component of the incident light; and a polarizinglayer on the phase retardation layer.

In an embodiment of the inventive concept, a display apparatus includinga display module configured to define a display surface on a plane. Thedisplay module includes: a plurality of organic light emitting elementsconfigured to display an image on the display surface; an encapsulationlayer configured to cover the plurality of organic light emittingelements; and a pattern layer on the encapsulation layer and having asame refractive index as the encapsulation layer, wherein the patternlayer includes a plurality of diffraction patterns arranged at aninterval configured to constructively interfere with at least a portionof incident light generated by the plurality of organic light emittingelements, and the plurality of diffraction patterns comprise a pluralityof patterns having widths different from each other.

In an embodiment of the inventive concept, a display apparatus includes:a base layer; a display layer on the base layer and comprising aplurality of organic light emitting elements; an encapsulation substrateon the display layer; and a pattern layer including the same material asthe encapsulation layer, wherein a plurality of diffraction patternshaving a constant interval is defined in the pattern layer, and theplurality of diffraction patterns includes: first patterns, each ofwhich has a first width; and second patterns, each of which has a secondwidth greater than the first width, wherein the first patterns causeconstructive interference with the second patterns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the inventive concept, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrateexemplary embodiments of the inventive concept and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles of the inventive concept. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a portion of an areaof a display module of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit view of one pixel of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the display module of FIG.3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a second lightof FIG. 5 is diffracted;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of duplicate unit images displayed on a displaysurface by the diffracted light;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are plan views illustrating a comparative example of apattern layer;

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating a relative relationship between luminanceand an SDE index of a display apparatus according to a width of each ofpatterns of FIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are plan views of the pattern layer according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating a relationship between luminance and anSDE index of the display apparatus according to a width of each ofpatterns of FIGS. 10A and 10B;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are plan views of a pattern layer according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating a relationship between luminance and anSDE index of a display apparatus according to a width of each ofpatterns of FIGS. 12A and 12B;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a pattern layer according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a pattern layer according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a pattern layer according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a pattern layer according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept; and

FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a portion of adisplay module according to another embodiment of the inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, example embodiments of a display apparatus will bedescribed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout. Theexemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, however, may be embodiedin various different forms, and should not be construed as being limitedto only the illustrated embodiments herein. Rather, these embodimentsare provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the aspects and features of the presentinvention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, processes, elements,and techniques that are not necessary to those having ordinary skill inthe art for a complete understanding of the aspects and features of theinventive concept may not be described. Unless otherwise noted, likereference numerals denote like elements throughout the attached drawingsand the written description, and thus, descriptions thereof may not berepeated. In the drawings, the relative sizes of elements, layers, andregions may be exaggerated for clarity.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,”“third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements,components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer or section from another element, component, region, layer orsection. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or sectiondescribed below could be termed a second element, component, region,layer or section, without departing from the spirit and scope of theinventive concept.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,”“above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofexplanation to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or in operation, in additionto the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the devicein the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or“beneath” or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented“above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below”and “under” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Thedevice may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein shouldbe interpreted accordingly.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, itcan be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element orlayer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. Inaddition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer isreferred to as being “between” two elements or layers, it can be theonly element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or moreintervening elements or layers may also be present.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the inventiveconcept. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,”“comprising,” “includes,” and “including,” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” whenpreceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and donot modify the individual elements of the list.

As used herein, the term “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms areused as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and areintended to account for the inherent variations in measured orcalculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill inthe art. Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of thepresent invention refers to “one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.” As used herein, the terms “use,” “using,” and “used” may beconsidered synonymous with the terms “utilize,” “utilizing,” and“utilized,” respectively. Also, the term “exemplary” is intended torefer to an example or illustration.

The display apparatus and/or any other relevant devices or componentsaccording to embodiments of the inventive concept described herein maybe implemented utilizing any suitable hardware, firmware (e.g., anapplication-specific integrated circuit), software, or a combination ofsoftware, firmware, and hardware. For example, the display apparatus mayinclude a display module having a display panel that includes aplurality of display elements (e.g., pixels), a pattern layer on thedisplay panel, an input sensing layer on the pattern layer, anantireflection layer on the input sensing layer, and a window on theantireflection layer. The various components of these devices may beformed on one integrated circuit (IC) chip or on separate IC chips.Further, the various components of these devices may be implemented on aflexible printed circuit film, a tape carrier package (TCP), a printedcircuit board (PCB), or formed on one substrate.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/orthe present specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealizedor overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to anembodiment of the inventive concept, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectionalview taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a display apparatus 1000 according to anembodiment of the inventive concept, has a rectangular shape with a longside in a first direction DR1 and a short side in a second direction DR2perpendicular to the first direction DR1. For convenience ofdescription, the shape of the display apparatus 1000 is merely anexample, and the embodiment of the inventive concept is not limited tothe shape of the display apparatus 1000. For example, variousembodiments of the inventive concept may have any suitable shapeincluding various regular or irregular shapes as would be understood bythose skilled in the art.

The display apparatus 1000 has a display surface IS including a displayarea DA and a non-display area NDA on a plane defined by the firstdirection DR1 and the second direction DR2. The display area DA isdefined at a central area of the display apparatus 1000. An image IMGmay be displayed on the display area DA. The non-display area NDA has aframe shape around (e.g., surrounding) the display area DA on the plane.An image is not displayed on the non-display area NDA. The embodiment ofthe inventive concept is not specifically limited to the shapes of thedisplay area DA and the non-display area NDA.

In this embodiment, a normal direction of the display surface IS, i.e.,a direction in which the image IMG is displayed may be indicated as athird direction DR3. A front surface (or a top surface) and a rearsurface (or a bottom surface) of each of members is indicated by thethird direction DR3. The front surface (or the top surface) and the rearsurface (or the bottom surface) of each of the members may bedistinguished by the third direction DR3. However, directions indicatedby the first to third directions DR1, DR2, and DR3 may be a relativeconcept and thus may be changed into different directions.

The display apparatus 1000 includes a display module DM. The displaysurface IS may be defined on a top surface of the display module DM. Thedisplay module DM includes a display panel 100 having a plurality ofdisplay elements (e.g., pixels) and a pattern layer 200 disposed on thedisplay panel 100. The pattern layer 200 diffracts at least a portion oflight provided from the display panel 100 to display an image on thedisplay surface IS. The display panel 100 and the pattern layer 200 willbe described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3-11.

The display apparatus 1000 according to this embodiment may furtherinclude an input sensing layer 300, an antireflection layer 400, and awindow 500.

The input sensing layer 300 is disposed on the display module DM. Theinput sensing layer 300 senses an external input provided to the displayapparatus 1000.

For example, the input sensing layer 300 may sense an external inputprovided by the human body of a user (e.g., using a finger). Accordingto the inventive concept, the external input is not limited to aspecific method. According to another embodiment of the inventiveconcept, the external input may be provided in any suitable manner suchas an optical, touch, magnetic, or other suitable manner as would beunderstood by those skilled in the art.

Although not shown, the input sensing layer 300 may include a pluralityof input sensing electrodes for sensing the external input.

The input sensing layer 300 may sense the external input in variousmanners. For example, the input sensing layer 300 may be driven in acapacitance, resistive, or coordinate recognition manner.

The antireflection layer 400 is disposed on the input sensing layer 300.The antireflection layer 400 overlaps the display area DA on the plane.The antireflection layer 400 may prevent external light (e.g., incidenton the display apparatus 1000) from being reflected by the displaymodule DM and visible to the user. Although not shown, theantireflection layer 400 may include a polarizing layer and a phaseretardation layer.

The polarizing layer has a transmission axis and an absorption axisperpendicular to the transmission axis. One or more components ofexternal light incident on the polarizing layer may be absorbed into orreflected by the absorption axis so that the light does not pass thepolarizing layer. A component perpendicular to the one component of thecomponents of the external light incident on the polarizing layer (e.g.,incident light) may pass through the polarizing layer. That is, thepolarizing layer may linearly polarize the external light.

In this embodiment, the polarizing layer may be made of a polymer resinelongated in a specific direction. However, the embodiment of theinventive concept is not limited to a kind of polarizing layer. Inanother embodiment of the inventive concept, the polarizing layer may bea wire grid polarizer.

The phase retardation layer is disposed below the polarizing layer. Thephase retardation layer has optical anisotropy. Thus, the phaseretardation layer may retard a phase of one or more components ofincident light. That is, the phase retardation layer may convert apolarized state of the light. For example, the phase retardation layermay retard a phase of one component of the incident light by awavelength of about λ/4. That is, the phase retardation layer may be aquadrature wavelength film. Thus, the phase of the one component of thelight passing through the phase retardation layer may be retarded toconvert the linearly polarized state into a circularly polarized stateor convert the circularly polarized state into the linearly polarizedstate.

According to this embodiment, even though the external light incident onthe display apparatus 1000 from the outside is reflected by the displaymodule DM, the polarized state may be converted by the phase retardationlayer for the light to be absorbed or reflected by the polarizing layer.That is, the external light reflected by the display module DM may beinvisible from the outside of the display apparatus 1000.

Although the antireflection layer 400 is disposed above the displaypanel 100 in this embodiment, the various embodiments of the inventiveconcept are not limited thereto. For example, according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept, the antireflection layer 400 may bedisposed in the display panel 100.

The window 500 is disposed on the antireflection layer 400. The window500 provides a front surface of the display apparatus 1000 to protectthe antireflection layer 400, the input sensing layer 300, and thedisplay module DM. For example, the window 500 may include a glasssubstrate, a sapphire substrate, or a plastic film. The window 500 mayhave a single or multilayered structure. For example, the window 500 mayhave a laminated structure of a plurality of plastic films coupled toeach other by using an adhesive or a laminated structure of a glasssubstrate and a plastic film, which are coupled to each other by usingan adhesive.

Although not shown, the display apparatus 1000 may further include aplurality of adhesion members. The adhesion members may be disposedbetween input sensing layer 300 and the antireflection layer 400 so thatthe input sensing layer 300 and the antireflection layer 400 are coupledto each other. Also, the adhesion members may be disposed between theantireflection layer 400 and the window 500 so that the antireflectionlayer 400 and the window 500 are coupled to each other.

According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, at least oneof the input sensing layer 300, the antireflection layer 400, or thewindow 500 may be omitted.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a portion of an areaof the display module of FIG. 2.

For convenience of description, a sub encapsulation layer SL of FIG. 2is omitted in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the display panel 100 according to anembodiment of the inventive concept may be an organic light emittingdisplay panel. Thus, each of the display elements of the display panel100 according to this embodiment may be an organic light emittingelement OLED (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

Particularly, the display element may include a base layer BS, a displaylayer CL, an encapsulation layer EN, and the sub encapsulation layer SL.The base layer BS defines a rear surface of the display panel 100. Thebase layer BS may be a base layer for forming electrodes including thedisplay panel 100 and display elements. For example, the base layer BSmay be provided as the form of a substrate.

Referring to FIG. 5 together with FIGS. 2 and 3, the display layer CL isdisposed above the base layer BS. The display layer CL includes a pixellayer PXL and a circuit layer CRL.

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, a type of thedisplay panel 100 may be determined according to the configuration ofthe display layer CL. The display panel 100 may be an organic lightemitting display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, anelectrophoretic display panel, or an electro-wetting display panel, ormay be one of various other display panels capable of displaying imagesas is well understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, thedisplay panel 100 according to the inventive concept may include variousembodiments, but is not limited to one embodiment. In the drawings thatwill be described below, a case in which the display panel 100 is theorganic light emitting display panel will be illustrated as an example.

The circuit layer CRL is disposed on the base layer BS. The circuitlayer CRL may include a plurality of thin film transistors for drivingthe organic light emitting elements OLED and a plurality of signallines.

The pixel layer PXL is disposed on the circuit layer CRL. The pixellayer PXL includes a plurality of organic light emitting elements OLEDand a pixel defining layer PDL partitioning the organic light emittingelements OLED. One organic light emitting element OLED of the pixellayer PXL and at least one thin film transistor of the circuit layer CRLconnected to the one organic light emitting element OLED may define onepixel PX. That is, the display panel 100 according to this embodimentincludes a plurality of pixels PX.

An encapsulation layer EN is disposed on the display layer CL. Theencapsulation layer EN covers the display layer CL to protect thedisplay layer CL against elements from the outside. The encapsulationlayer EN may include an inorganic material. For example, theencapsulation layer EN may be provided in the form of a glass substrate.

Although not shown, the display apparatus 1000 may further include asealing member for sealing the base layer BS and the encapsulation layerEN on the non-display area NDA.

The sub encapsulation layer SL is disposed between the encapsulationlayer EN and the display layer CL. That is, the encapsulation layer ENmay be spaced apart by a distance (e.g., a predetermined distance) fromthe display layer CL, and the sub encapsulation layer SL may be locatedin the space between the encapsulation layer EN and the display layerCL. In this embodiment, the sub encapsulation layer SL may be a filler.For example, the sub encapsulation layer SL may be an inert gas. The subencapsulation layer SL may prevent foreign substances existing betweenthe encapsulation layer EN and the display layer CL from being diffused.

Although not shown, according to another embodiment of the inventiveconcept, the sub encapsulation layer SL may be omitted. In this case,the encapsulation layer EN may be disposed on the display layer CL tocontact and cover the display layer CL. In this embodiment, theencapsulation layer EN may include a plurality of laminated organiclayers and/or inorganic layers. Also, the encapsulation layer EN mayserve as a planarization layer that planarizes a top surface of thedisplay layer CL. The encapsulation layer EN according to an embodimentmay have various shapes, but is not limited to one embodiment.

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the pattern layer200 may be disposed on the encapsulation layer EN. The pattern layer 200may, for example, have the same refractive index as the encapsulationlayer EN. For example, each of the pattern layer 200 and theencapsulation layer EN may have a refractive index of about 1.4 to about1.6.

In an embodiment of the inventive concept, the pattern layer 200 mayinclude the same material as the encapsulation layer EN.

The pattern layer 200 may include a plurality of diffraction patternsDFP. The diffraction patterns DFP are arranged in the form of a matrixhaving a plurality of rows and columns in the first direction DR1 andthe second direction DR2 on the pattern layer 200. The diffractionpatterns DFP have an interval (e.g., a predetermined interval) a.

In this embodiment, each of the diffraction patterns DFP has a holeshape passing through the pattern layer 200. For example, the patternlayer 200 includes a plurality of holes DFP passing through the patternlayer 200 in the third direction DR3, and the plurality of holes DFP aredefined as the diffraction patterns DFP. In this embodiment, each of thediffraction patterns DFP may have a circular shape on the plane.

In this embodiment, the diffraction patterns DFP may diffract at least aportion of light incident on the pattern layer 200 to display the imageIMG (see FIG. 1) on the display surface IS. Hereinafter, the diffractionof light will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5-7.

FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit view of one pixel of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, one pixel PX includes at least one thin filmtransistor, at least one capacitor, and at least one display element. Inthis embodiment, the pixel PX includes a first thin film transistorTFT1, a second thin film transistor TFT2, one capacitor Cap, and anorganic light emitting element OLED. The first thin film transistor TFT1includes a control electrode connected to a scan line SLi, an inputelectrode connected to a data line DL, and an output electrode. Thefirst thin film transistor TFT1 outputs a data signal applied to thedata line DL in response to a scan signal applied to the scan line SL.

The capacitor Cap includes a first capacitor electrode connected to thefirst thin film transistor TFT1 and a second capacitor electrode forreceiving the first power voltage ELVDD. The capacitor Cap is charged byan amount corresponding to a difference between a voltage correspondingto the data signal received from the first thin film transistor TFT1 andthe first power voltage ELVDD.

The second thin film transistor TFT2 includes a control electrodeconnected to the output electrode of the first thin film transistor TFT1and the first capacitor electrode of the capacitor Cap, an inputelectrode for receiving the first power voltage ELVDD, and an outputelectrode. The output electrode of the second thin film transistor TFT2is connected to the organic light emitting element OLED.

The second thin film transistor TFT2 controls driving current flowingthrough the organic light emitting element OLED to correspond to acharge amount stored in the capacitor Cap. A turn-on time of the secondthin film transistor TFT2 is determined according to an amount ofcharges charged in the capacitor Cap. The output electrode of the secondthin film transistor TFT2 supplies a voltage having a level less thanthat of the first power voltage ELVDD to the organic light emittingelement OLED.

The organic light emitting element OLED includes a first electrode EL1(e.g., see FIG. 5) connected to the second thin film transistor TFT2 anda second electrode EL2 for receiving a second power voltage ELVSS. Theorganic light emitting element OLED may include a light emitting layerOL disposed between the first electrode EL1 and the second electrodeEL2.

The organic light emitting element OLED emits light during a turn-onperiod of the second thin film transistor TFT2. The light generated inthe organic light emitting element OLED may have a color that isdetermined by a material that forms the light emitting pattern (e.g.,the organic light emitting element OLED). For example, the color of thelight generated in the organic light emitting element OLED may have oneof a red color, a green color, a blue color, and a white color. Theorganic light emitting element OLED substantially defines emission areasPXA (see FIG. 7) on the display panel 100.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the display module of FIG.3, and FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which secondlight of FIG. 5 is diffracted. For convenience of description, only onecross-section of the display module DM, which is cut along a lineparallel to the second direction DR2 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the display moduleDM that will be described later may have the same configuration as across-section of the display module DM, which is cut along a lineparallel to the first direction DR1.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, the organic light emitting element OLEDaccording to an embodiment of the inventive concept generates a firstlight L1 and a second light L2. The first light L1 and the second lightL2 are emitted from the organic light emitting element OLED, and travelupward along the third direction DR3 perpendicular to the displaysurface IS. The first light L1 and the second light L2 may be defined asa front light. The first light L1 passes through the sub encapsulationlayer SL, the encapsulation layer EN, and the diffraction pattern DFP todisplay a pixel unit image IM on the display surface IS.

The light except for the first light L1 and the second light L2 emittedfrom the organic light emitting element OLED may be defined as a sidelight. For convenience of description, only the first light L1 and thesecond light L2, defined as light emitted from the organic lightemitting element OLED in a direction that is angled at a first angle θ1with respect to the first light L1, are illustrated in FIG. 5.

The second light L2 may pass through the sub encapsulation layer SL andthe encapsulation layer EN in the direction that is angled at the firstangle θ1 with respect to the first light L1. The second light L2 may berefracted by an interface between the sub encapsulation layer SL and theencapsulation layer EN. The refracted second light L2 may be angled at asecond angle θ2 with respect to the first light L1.

The second light L2 refracted at the second angle θ2 is incident on theencapsulation layer EN. The second light L2 may pass through theencapsulation layer EN and be incident on the diffraction patterns DFP.The incident second light L2 may be diffracted by the diffractionpatterns DFP.

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the diffractionpatterns DFP having the interval al (e.g., the predetermined intervalal) may diffract the second light L2, which is incident at the secondangle θ2 with respect to the first light L1, of the incident light todisplay a duplicate unit image IM′ on the display surface IS. That is,the second light L2 may be incident on the diffraction patterns DFP atthe second angle θ2 so as to display the duplicate unit image IM′.According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the interval al ofthe diffraction patterns DFP may be about 5 um to about 7 um.

According to this embodiment, the second light L2 emitted from theorganic light emitting element OLED at the first angle θ1 with respectto the first light L1 is refracted by the intermediate members SL and ENand incident to the diffraction patterns DFP at the second angle θ2 withrespect to the first light L1. Although the intermediate members SL andEN include the sub encapsulation layer SL and the encapsulation layer ENin this embodiment, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limitedto the number and kind of intermediate members. For example, in anotherembodiment of the inventive concept, separate members may be providedbetween the pixel layer PXL and the pattern layer 200 to adjust a lengthof a light path through which the light emitted from the organic lightemitting element OLED travels to the diffraction pattern DFP within arange satisfying the diffraction conditions.

As described above, the diffraction patterns DFP diffract the secondlight L2 to display one or more duplicate unit images IM′ on the displaysurface IS.

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the second light L2may include a first sub light L21 and a second sub light L22. Each ofthe first sub light L21 and the second sub light L22 is angled at thesecond angle θ2 with respect to the first light L1, and the first sublight L21 and the second sub light L22 are incident on the diffractionpatterns DFP differently (e.g., different from each other). For example,there may be a difference in the light paths of the first sub light L21and the second sub light L22. The difference in light paths may bedefined as a first distance R.

According to this embodiment, the first sub light L21 and the second sublight L22 may be diffracted by the diffraction patterns DFP toconstructively interfere with each other. For example, a phasedifference may occur between the first sub light L21 and the second sublight L22. The phase difference may be equal to a wavelength λ of thesecond light L2. Thus, the first distance R may be proportional to thewavelength λ of the second light L2. The constructively interferingfirst sub light L21 and second sub light L22 display the duplicate unitimage IM′ on the display surface IS.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of duplicate unit images displayed on a displaysurface by the diffracted light. For convenience of description, onlyone emission area PXA of the plurality of emission areas PXA isillustrated in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 7, the display surface IS according to an embodimentof the inventive concept includes a plurality of emission areas PXA anda plurality of duplicate areas PRA. The plurality of duplicate areas PRAare arranged around (e.g., to surround) one emission area PXA. In thisembodiment, the duplicate areas PRA may be defined on both sides of theone emission area PXA in the first direction DR1 and the seconddirection DR2. Each of the emission areas PXA may have the same shape aseach of the duplicate areas PRA. Although each of the emission areas PXAand the duplicate areas PRA has a diamond shape in FIG. 7, theembodiment of the inventive concept is not specifically limited to theshape.

The emission areas PXA and the duplicate areas PRA are arranged to bespaced apart from each other. An interval between one emission area PXAand one duplicate area PRA adjacent to the corresponding emission areaPXA is referred to as a duplicate interval PP. The duplicate interval PPis a distance between a center of the one emission area PXA and a centerof the one duplicate area PRA.

According to this embodiment, the first light L1 emitted from theabove-described organic light emitting element OLED may pass through theintermediate members SL and EN to display the pixel unit image IM on theemission area PXA of the display surface IS. The pixel unit image IM hasa shape corresponding to a planar shape of the organic light emittingelement OLED. Also, the second light L2 emitted from the organic lightemitting element OLED may pass through the intermediate members SL andEN to display the duplicate unit image IM′ on the duplicate area PRA ofthe display surface IS. The duplicate unit image IM′ may be the sameshape as the pixel unit image IM. The image IMG (see FIG. 1) displayedby the display module DM may provide a mixed shape of the pixel unitimages IM and the duplicate unit images IM′ to the user.

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the plurality ofunit images IM and IM′ may be displayed on the display surface IS byusing the light emitted from the one organic light emitting elementOLED. That is, the unit image provided from the one organic lightemitting element OLED may be duplicated one or more times.

Unlike this embodiment of the inventive concept, when the displayapparatus 1000 does not include the diffraction patterns DFP fordisplaying the duplicate unit image IM′, the non-emission area definedas areas occupied by the pixel defining layer PDL (see FIG. 5) betweenthe emission areas PXA on the existing display surface IS may be visiblefrom the outside. The phenomenon that the visible non-emission area isvisible is referred to as a screen door effect (SDE) phenomenon. Forexample, the SDE phenomenon may be more pronounced when the displayapparatus 1000 is enlarged and is applied to a head mount device (HMD)in which the display surface IS is enlarged and provided to the user.However, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, as theduplicate areas PRA on which a separate unit image is displayed areformed on the non-emission area, the phenomenon in which thenon-emission area is visible from the outside by the user may beprevented from occurring. That is, the display apparatus 1000 may haveimproved display quality.

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the diffractionpatterns DFP may include a plurality of diffraction patterns havingdifferent widths. Hereinafter, this will be described below withreference to FIGS. 8A and 11.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are plan views illustrating a comparative example of thepattern layer, and FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating a relativerelationship between luminance and an SDE index of the display apparatusaccording to a width of each of patterns of FIGS. 8A and 8B.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 8A, 8B and 9, luminance of the image IMG (seeFIG. 1) displayed on the display surface IS and an SDE index appearingon the display surface IS may vary by the pixel unit images IM and theduplicate unit images IM′ according to the width of each of thediffraction patterns DFP. The SDE index is an index indicating a degreeto which the SDE phenomenon appears. The more the SDE index decreases onthe display surface IS, the more the non-emission area described abovemay be visible by the user.

In the graph of FIG. 9, an x-axis represents a size of widths b1 and b1′of the diffraction pattern DFP, or a ratio of the widths b1 and b1′ toan interval al. Here, the diffraction patterns DFP and DFP′ may have aconstant interval al. For example, the interval al may be about 3 um toabout 9 um, and a radio of the widths b1 and b1′ to the interval al maybe in range of about 5% to 95%.

In the graph of FIG. 9, a y-axis represents luminance A and an SDE indexB of the image IMG (see FIG. 1). The graph representing the luminance ofthe image IMG (see FIG. 1) is illustrated as a plot of A, and the SDEindex is illustrated as a plot of B.

Experimentally, the luminance A and the SDE index B according to thewidth of each of the diffraction patterns DFP may be different from eachother in the waveform graph. The luminance A according to the width ofeach of the diffraction patterns DFP may have an opposite relation withthe SDE index B according to the width of each of the diffractionpatterns DFP. For example, when the diffraction patterns DFP have aspecific width, the luminance A may have a maximum value, and the SDEindex B may have a minimum value.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, in the process of forming the diffractionpatterns DFP and DFP′ on the encapsulation layer EN (see FIGS. 4 and 5),the diffraction patterns DFP and DFP′ may have different widths in eacharea.

For example, the diffraction patterns DFP and DFP′ may have a firstwidth b1 or a first error width b1′. For example, the first error widthb1′ may be greater than the first width b1. An area on the pattern layer200 on which the diffraction pattern DFP having the first width b1 isformed may be defined as the first area AR1. An area on the patternlayer 200 on which the diffraction pattern DFP′ having the first errorwidth b1′ is formed may be defined as the second area AR2. A differencebetween the first width b1 and the first error width b1′ may be equal toor greater than about 0.3 um.

Each of the first area AR1 and the second area AR2 is not limited innumber, and may be located on the pattern layer 200. The diffractionpatterns DFP′ disposed on the second area AR2 may be provided by aprocess errors in the process of forming the diffraction patterns DFP onthe encapsulation layer EN. For example, when the diffraction patternsDFP are formed by a photolithography process, an error in the processmay be a difference in etching amount, a difference in exposure amount,or a difference in thickness between the first region AR1 and the secondregion AR2.

Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 9, because the diffraction patterns DFPand DFP′ have widths b1 and b1′ that are different from each other, theluminance A and the SDE index B of the first area AR1 may be differentfrom the luminance A and the SDE index B of the second area AR2. In thiscase, the image IMG (see FIG. 1) displayed on the display surface IS maybe differently visible according to the luminance and the SDE index.That is, the display apparatus 1000 may be deteriorated in displayquality. For example, the first area AR1 on which the diffractionpattern DFP having the first width b1 is formed may have a value of x₁in the x-axis and a luminance value of y₁ in the y-axis. The second areaAR2 on which the diffraction pattern DFP′ having the first error widthb1′ is formed may have a value of x₁′ in the x-axis and a luminancevalue of y₁′ in the y-axis. A difference dy₁ in luminance between thefirst area AR1 and the second area AR2 may be y₁-y₁′. In the aboveexample, the luminance difference dy₁ has a negative number.

In the above example, although only the difference in luminance A isexplained, the SDE index B may also have a difference between the firstarea AR1 and the second area AR2. Here, because the SDE index B has avalue opposite to the luminance A, the difference value may have apositive value.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are plan views of the pattern layer according to anembodiment of the inventive concept, and FIG. 11 is a graph illustratinga relationship between luminance and an SDE index of the displayapparatus according to a width of each of patterns of FIGS. 10A and 10B.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the diffraction patterns DFP and DFP′ ofthe first area AR1 and the second area AR2 according to an embodiment ofthe inventive concept may include a plurality of patterns PT1, PT2,PT1′, and PT2′.

For example, the diffraction patterns DFP disposed on the first area AR1include first patterns PT1 and second patterns PT2. In this embodiment,each of the first patterns PT1 may be similar to each of the secondpatterns PT2. Each of the first patterns PT1 may have the sameconfiguration as each of the diffraction patterns DFP of FIG. 8A. Thatis, each of the first patterns PT1 has a first width b1. Each of thesecond patterns PT2 has a second width b2. In this embodiment, thesecond width b2 may be greater than the first width b1. Although notshown, according to this embodiment, a ratio of the number of secondpatterns PT2 to the number of first patterns PT1 on the pattern layer200 may be about 20% to about 80%. In another embodiment, the number offirst patterns PT1 on the pattern layer 200 may be equal to the numberof second patterns PT2. In various embodiments of the inventive concept,the first patterns PT1 and the second patterns PT2 may correspond to apixel layout of the display apparatus (e.g., the display apparatus 100described above). For example, in various embodiments of the inventiveconcept, the display apparatus may have a pixel layout that includespixels having differing sizes and shapes, and the first patterns PT1 andsecond patterns PT2 may correspond to the sizes and shapes of the pixellayout of the display apparatus. For example, in various embodiments ofthe inventive concept, a green pixel of the display apparatus may have alarger size than a red or blue pixel of the display apparatus. In otherembodiments of the inventive concept, the blue pixels may be larger thanthe red and green pixels or the red pixels may be larger than the greenand blue pixels.

In this embodiment, the first patterns PT1 and the second patterns PT2are arranged on the pattern layer 200 at a constant interval a. Thus, atleast a portion of light incident on the pattern layer 200 may beconstructively interfered by the first patterns PT1 and the secondpatterns PT2.

The first patterns PT1 form a plurality of first columns on the patternlayer 200. The second patterns PT2 provide a plurality of secondcolumns. The first columns may be parallel to the second columns. Thefirst columns and the second columns are alternately arranged. One firstpattern PT1 of the first columns may form one row with one secondpattern PT2 of each of the second columns adjacent to each other, andthe row may be perpendicular to the first column and the second columnon the plane. According to this embodiment, a virtual line connecting acenter of each of the first patterns PT1 to a center of each of thesecond patterns PT2 may be parallel to a direction of the row.

That is, the diffraction patterns DFP may form a plurality of rows onthe pattern layer 200 perpendicular to the first and second columns, andeach of the rows may have a form in which the first patterns PT1 and thesecond patterns PT2 are alternately arranged.

However, this is merely an example of the arrangement relationship ofthe first and second patterns PT1 and PT2. According to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept, the first and second patterns PT1and PT2 may be arranged in various shapes. For example, according toanother embodiment of the inventive concept, a plurality of first groupsincluding the plurality of first columns may be alternately arrangedwith a plurality of second groups including the plurality of columns.

Similarly, the diffraction patterns DFP′ arranged on the second area AR2include first patterns PT1′ and second patterns PT2′. Each of the firstpatterns PT1′ has a first error width b1′, and each of the secondpatterns PT2′ has a second error width b2′. For example, the seconderror width b2′ may be greater than the second width b2. The firstpatterns PT1′ and the second patterns PT2′ have a constant interval al.

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the pattern layer200 may include the plurality of diffraction patterns DFP having widthsb1 and b2 that are different from each other. Thus, in the process offorming the diffraction patterns DFP, even though the diffractionpatterns DFP have widths that are different from each other due to theprocess error, the phenomenon in which the luminance or the SED index isdifferently perceived may be reduced.

For example, referring to FIG. 11, the first area AR1 on which the firstpattern PT1 having the first width b1 and the second pattern PT2 havingthe second width b2 are arranged may have the values of x₁ and x₂ in thex-axis and the luminance values of y₁ and y₂ in the y-axis.

The second area AR2 on which the first pattern PT1′ having the firsterror width b1′ and the second pattern PT2′ having the second errorwidth b2′ are arranged may have the values of x₁′ and x₂′ in the x-axisand the luminance values of y₁′ and y₂′ in the y-axis.

According to this embodiment, a first luminance difference dy₁ generatedbetween the first area AR1 and the second area AR2 by the first patternsPT1 and PT1′ may be y₁-y₁′, and a second luminance difference dy₂generated between the first area AR1 and the second area AR2 by thesecond patterns PT2 and PT2′ may be y₂-y₂′. In this example, the secondluminance difference dy₂ is the same as the first luminance differencedy₁ and has a sign (e.g., positive or negative) that is different fromthat of the first luminance difference dy₁. That is, the second width b2of the second pattern PT2 may be set so that a product of a rate ofchange of the value of y₂ and the value of y₂′ value and a rate ofchange of the value of y₁ and the value of y₁′ value has a negativenumber. According to this embodiment, in the graph of FIG. 11, the x2value representing the second width b2 may be set so that the y2 valueis the same as the y1′ value, and the y2′ value is the same the y1value. In the above example, the second luminance difference dy2 has apositive number.

As described above, as the diffraction patterns DFP include the firstand second patterns PT1 and PT2 having different widths b1 and b2, eventhough the first luminance difference dy₁ is generated due to theprocess error generated by the process of forming the first patternsPT1, the second luminance difference dy₂ generated by the process offorming the second patterns PT2 may compensate the first luminancedifference dy₁. That is, because each of the first patterns PT1 and thesecond patterns PT2 may vary in width due to the process error, thephenomenon in which the display quality is deteriorated may be reduced.

Although the luminance difference compensation according to theinventive concept is illustrated with reference to the luminance value Ain FIG. 11, the SDE index B may also be compensated (e.g., equallycompensated). For example, because the diffraction patterns DFP includethe first and second patterns PT1 and PT2 having different widths b1 andb2, even if an SDE index difference is generated due to process errorsin the process of forming the first patterns PT1, the error may becompensated by the SED index difference generated in the process offorming the second patterns PT2.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are plan views of a pattern layer according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept, and FIG. 13 is a graph illustratinga relationship between luminance and an SDE index of a display apparatusaccording to a width of each of patterns of FIGS. 12A and 12B.

For convenience of description, differences between this embodiment andthe previous embodiments will be primarily described, and omitteddescriptions may be derived from the previous embodiments. Also, thesame reference symbols have been given to same components, andduplicated descriptions with respect to the previously describedcomponents may be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 12A, 12 b, and 13, second patterns PT2 of diffractionpatterns DFP-1, according to another embodiment of the inventiveconcept, has a width less than that of each of first patterns PT1. Forexample, each of the first patterns PT1 has a first width b1, and eachof the second patterns PT2 has a second width b2. The second width b2has a value that is less than that of the first width b1.

In the graph depicted in FIG. 13, the value of y₁-y₁′ indicating thefirst luminance difference dy₁ has a negative value, and the value ofy₂-y₂′ indicating the second luminance difference dy₂ has a positivevalue. The values x₂ and x₂′ in FIG. 13 are less than those of x₂ andx₂′ in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a pattern layer according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept.

For convenience of description, differences between this embodiment andthe previous embodiments will be primarily described, and omitteddescriptions may be derived from the previous embodiments. Samereference symbols have been given to same components, and duplicateddescriptions with respect to the same components may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 14, diffraction patterns DFP-2 according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept include first patterns PT1 andsecond patterns PT2. The first patterns PT1 form a plurality of firstcolumns. The second patterns PT2 form a plurality of second columns. Thefirst columns may be parallel to the second columns. The first columnsand the second columns are alternately arranged.

The first patterns PT1 form a plurality of first rows. The secondpatterns PT2 form a plurality of second rows. The first rows may beparallel to the second rows. The first rows and the second rows arealternately arranged. According to this embodiment, a virtual lineconnecting a center of each of the first patterns PT1 to a center ofeach of the second patterns PT2 may not be parallel to a direction ofthe row (e.g., may be along a diagonal direction).

According to this embodiment, duplicate areas PRA (e.g., see FIG. 7)defined on the above-described display surface IS (e.g., see FIG. 7) maybe changed in position. For example, the emission areas PXA (e.g., seeFIG. 7) and the duplicate areas PRA (e.g., see FIG. 7) may have ahexagonally arranged shape. For example, the plurality of duplicateareas PRA defined around (e.g., to surround) one emission area PXA maybe arranged in the hexagonal shape.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a pattern layer according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept.

For convenience of description, differences between this embodiment andthe previous embodiments will primarily be described, and omitteddescriptions may be derived from the previous embodiments. Samereference symbols are given to same components, and duplicateddescriptions with respect to the previously described components may beomitted.

Referring to FIG. 15, diffraction patterns DFP-3 according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept further include third patterns PT3.Each of the third patterns PT3 has a third width b3. The third width b3may be less than the first width b1.

The first patterns PT1 to the third patterns PT3 are alternatelyarranged on a pattern layer 200-3. The first patterns PT1 and the secondpatterns PT2 are spaced apart by an interval (e.g., a constant interval)al.

In this embodiment, the third width b3 may be less than the first widthb1. In another embodiment, the third width b3 may be greater than thesecond width b2.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a pattern layer according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept.

For convenience of description, differences between this embodiment andthe previous embodiments will be primarily described, and omitteddescriptions may be derived from the previous embodiments. Samereference symbols may be given to same components, and duplicateddescriptions with respect to the previously described components may beomitted.

Referring to FIG. 16, diffraction patterns DFP-4 according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept are arranged in the form of aplurality of rows and columns on a pattern layer 200-4. Each of theplurality of columns has a shape in which the first patterns PT1 and thesecond patterns PT2 are alternately arranged. Each of the plurality ofrows has a shape in which the first patterns PT1 and the second patternsPT2 are alternately arranged. According to this embodiment, a virtualline connecting a center of each of the first patterns PT1 to a centerof each of the second patterns PT2 may be parallel to a direction of therow or column.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a pattern layer according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept.

For convenience of description, differences between this embodiment andthe previous embodiments will be primarily described, and omitteddescriptions may be derived from the previous embodiments. Samereference symbols may be given to same components, and duplicateddescriptions with respect to the previously described components may beomitted.

Referring to FIG. 17, each of diffraction patterns DFP-5 according toanother embodiment of the inventive concept may have a hexagonal shape.However, the shape of each of the diffraction patterns DFP-5 is merelyan example. According to another embodiment of the inventive concept,each of the diffraction patterns DFP-5 may have a polygonal shape suchas a triangular shape and a rectangular shape, or a mixture of multipleshapes.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a portion of anarea of a display module according to another embodiment of theinventive concept.

For convenience of description, differences between this embodiment andthe previous embodiments will primarily be described, and omitteddescriptions may be derived from the previous embodiments. Samereference symbols are given to same components, and duplicateddescriptions with respect to the previously described components may beomitted.

Referring to FIG. 18, a display module DM-6 according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept includes a plurality of diffractionpatterns DFP-6. The diffraction patterns DFP-6 are arranged in the formof a matrix having a plurality of rows and columns in the firstdirection DR1 and the second direction DR2 on the pattern layer 200-6.The diffraction patterns DFP-6 are arranged at an interval (e.g., aconstant interval).

According to this embodiment, each of the diffraction patterns DFP-6 hasa shape that protrudes upward from a top surface of an encapsulationlayer EN. That is, each of the diffraction patterns DFP-6 has aprotruding (e.g., relief or embossed) shape. The diffraction patternsDFP-6 define the above-described pattern layer 200-6. Each of thediffraction patterns DFP-6 may include the same material as theencapsulation layer EN. According to another embodiment of the inventiveconcept, the diffraction patterns DFP-6 may be integrated with theencapsulation layer EN.

Although not shown in the drawings, a pattern layer 200-6 according toanother embodiment of the inventive concept may further include a coverlayer CVL disposed on the diffraction patterns DFP-6. The cover layerCVL covers the diffraction patterns DFP-6. In this embodiment, the coverlayer CVL may perform a planarization function.

According to the embodiment of the inventive concept, the displayquality of the display apparatus may be improved. Particularly, theluminance uniformity may be improved.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the inventive concept. Thus,it is intended that the present disclosure covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents. Thus, to the maximum extentallowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determinedby the broadest reasonable interpretation of the following claims andtheir equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by theforegoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising a display moduleconfigured to define a display surface on a plane, the display modulecomprising: a display panel comprising a plurality of display elementsconfigured to display an image on the display surface; and a patternlayer comprising a plurality of diffraction patterns arranged at aninterval on the display panel, wherein the pattern layer is configuredto diffract at least a portion of incident light, wherein the pluralityof diffraction patterns comprises: first patterns, each of which has afirst width; and second patterns, each of which has a second widthgreater than the first width, each of the first patterns and the secondpatterns has a plurality of hole shapes passing through the patternlayer, and the first patterns and the second patterns have a constantinterval, and light from a display element of the plurality of displayelements comprises a first sub light incident on a first pattern of thefirst patterns and a second sub light incident on a second pattern ofthe second patterns, and a difference in light paths of the first sublight and the second sub light is proportional to a wavelength of thelight, such that the first sub light and the second sub light areconstructively interfered.
 2. The display apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe at least the portion of incident light diffracted by the pluralityof diffraction patterns is constructively interfered.
 3. The displayapparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of display elementsis configured to display pixel unit images on the display surface,constructively interfered incident light displays duplicate pixel unitimages between adjacent display elements, and the image is defined bythe pixel unit images and the duplicate pixel unit images.
 4. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein a ratio of the second patterns tothe first patterns on the pattern layer is in a range of about 20% toabout 80%.
 5. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein a number of thefirst patterns is the same as that of the second patterns on the patternlayer.
 6. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein a ratio of the widthof each of the plurality of diffraction patterns to an interval of theplurality of diffraction patterns is in a range of about 5% to about95%.
 7. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofdiffraction patterns further comprises third patterns, each of which hasa third width that is less than the first width.
 8. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein first columns of the first patterns andsecond columns of the second patterns are alternately arranged.
 9. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first patterns and the secondpatterns are alternately arranged on the plane in a first direction anda second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
 10. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein the display panel comprises: a base layer;a circuit layer on the base layer and comprising the plurality ofdisplay elements; and an encapsulation layer on the circuit layer andhaving a same refractive index as the pattern layer.
 11. The displayapparatus of claim 10, wherein the encapsulation layer comprises a samematerial as the pattern layer.
 12. The display apparatus of claim 1,wherein each of the plurality of diffraction patterns has a shape thatprotrudes upward from a top surface of the display module.
 13. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality ofdiffraction patterns has a circular shape on the plane.
 14. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of diffractionpatterns has a polygonal shape on the plane.
 15. The display apparatusof claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of display elements comprisesan organic light emitting element.
 16. The display apparatus of claim 1,further comprising an antireflection layer on the display module,wherein the antireflection layer comprises: a phase retardation layerconfigured to retard a phase of one component of the incident light; anda polarizing layer on the phase retardation layer.
 17. A displayapparatus comprising a display module configured to define a displaysurface on a plane, the display module comprising: a plurality oforganic light emitting elements configured to display an image on thedisplay surface; an encapsulation layer configured to cover theplurality of organic light emitting elements; and a pattern layer on theencapsulation layer and having a same refractive index as theencapsulation layer, wherein the pattern layer comprises a plurality ofdiffraction patterns, the plurality of diffraction patterns comprises:first patterns, each of which has a first width; and second patterns,each of which has a second width greater than the first width, each ofthe first patterns and the second patterns has a plurality of holeshapes passing through the pattern layer, and the first patterns and thesecond patterns have a constant interval configured to constructivelyinterfere with at least a portion of incident light generated by theplurality of organic light emitting elements, and light from an organiclight emitting element of the plurality of organic light emittingelements comprises a first sub light incident on a first pattern of thefirst patterns and a second sub light incident on a second pattern ofthe second patterns, and a difference in light paths of the first sublight and the second sub light is proportional to a wavelength of thelight, such that the first sub light and the second sub light areconstructively interfered.
 18. A display apparatus comprising: a baselayer; a display layer on the base layer and comprising a plurality oforganic light emitting elements; an encapsulation layer on the displaylayer; and a pattern layer comprising a same material as theencapsulation layer, wherein the pattern layer comprises a plurality ofdiffraction patterns comprising: first patterns, each of which has afirst width; and second patterns, each of which has a second widthgreater than the first width, wherein each of the first patterns and thesecond patterns has a plurality of hole shapes passing through thepattern layer, and the first patterns and the second patterns have aconstant interval such that the first patterns are configured to causeconstructive light interference with the second patterns, and light froman organic light emitting element of the plurality of organic lightemitting elements comprises a first sub light incident on a firstpattern of the first patterns and a second sub light incident on asecond pattern of the second patterns, and a difference in light pathsof the first sub light and the second sub light is proportional to awavelength of the light, such that the first sub light and the secondsub light are constructively interfered.